Rugby Football.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 45, 11 May 1901, Page 20

Rugby Football.

THE Melrose-Poneke match was one of those rip-and-tear games \\ Inch result from the encounter of two teams of fast dashing forwards, though at times the play on Saturday \\ a& rougher than circumstances warranted.

Football should be a trial of strength and skill in the athletics of the game, and should never develop into a kind of Donnybrook Fair melee for the benefit of the medical fraternity. Some of the players m the match under notice seemed to have the idea that the best way to win the game wa& to cripple their opponents, and it is a matter of regret to me to have to say so, and it was their good fortune alone — or perhaps another cause — that leaves them still among the ranks of the players, and not in their proper place — on the bank.

It is not my intention to name anybody who is particularly deserving of this censure. Suffice it to say, if occasion should happen again during the season to make pointed reference — and I trust it will not — individual players will be singled out for special mention. Play the game as it ought to be played, treating your opponents as men with like feelings to yourself, is my idea of the truo spirit of the Rugby game.

The two teams were splendidly matched, and, although it was not a brilliant exposition of the game, there were plenty of exciting incidents, the ultimate result being in doubt till the Melrose team scored their second try. The effect of the work done in the gymnasium was plainly noticeable, for neither team seemed, to have had enough when the whistle blew for "no side."

Jack Spencer played a great game, his work on the line>-out being of a particularly brilliant order. Another game such as he played on Saturday ought to make Jack's place in the representative team a certainty.

Adams was another who impressed me favourably, more especially as his play, although hard, is honest. His tackling of Manning, when that player was working his way towards the goalline was the work of a tradesman. Callum seemed to kick at nothing a lot, but Mclnnis improved the favourable opinion I had previously formed of his play. None of the other forwards impressed me as being a better man than his mates, for they all did hard and solid work. Some of them were a bit too clumsy, I will call it, in their method of play. This should be remedied in future games. Wrigley's play was marked principally by the rare amount of defence there Mas m it, and E. Claridge, when opportunity offers, is a dangerous man in attack. A. Claridge has lost some of his love for the ball, but the experiment of playing G. Spencer on the wing threequarter, with Howe at full back, is not a good one The Melrose captain must have had borne anxious moments when the latter was juggling with the ball. If there is a re-arrangement of the Melrose backs, I would like to suggest to the skipper — Put brother George back in his old place, fetch Howe into the centre, put Goodwin on the right wing, and Wrigley at five-eighths, leaving the brothers Claridge in their presenb positions. Wrigley is a resourceful back, with tho head of a general, and he should be the keynote of the back division. As to his qualifications for five-eighth, one has only to call to mind the decisive manner in which he got all round Alf. Bayly when he was playing his best game. I refer to the time when Wrigley occupied the position named for Wairarapa against Taranaki some years ago. Dealing with the Poneke team, I have to confess to a feeling of disappointment. After seeing Melrose play its first game, and likewise with Poneke, the conclusion I had formed was that there was only one team in the match. Another forcible illustration, to my mind, of the uncertainty of football Analysing the play of the team, one cannot find much fault with it. The real conclusion in the matter is that the Melrose team showed a great amount of improvement on their first Saturday's display.

Slater exhibited a bit of his old form, and, though perhaps his kicking was a bit low, he got through a heavy afternoon's work with an immense amount of credit to himself. Slattery did not have too many opportunities, and the same remark applies to Manning. The latter could have thrown the ball away from him when he found himself hemmed in with opponents when near the line, with the hope that one of his own side would have secured it. He had not a ghost of a chance of getting the try himself. Roberts was patchy, and Beck does not send the ball out too well. I have said it before — and must say it again to him — let the wing forwards do their own work , your place is at the back of the serum. Wallace covered himself with glory, fearlessly meeting all the dashes of the opposing forwards, and generally man aging to get in a neat kick to touch. The goal he kicked from a place kick was a beauty. Among the forwards, Sweeney played a great game. He is one of those who become absorbed in the game, and his style of play could well be copied by many forwards who have bigger reputations than he has. Me Anally was handicapped by a nasty knock early in the game, and Wilson did not give such a good account of himself as on the opening Saturday. Brunsden, recently from Christchurch, made a favourable impression, and the remaining forwards all did their honest share of the graft. Beck received an extra hard kick towards the end of the first spell, which to me did not appear to be solely the result of an accident. He, however, after about ten minutes spell, came back on to the field, though none too steady on his pins.

The game bat ween Wellington and Athletic was a disappointing one from a football standpoint. With the ground in such capital order, and with two teams possessed of good scoring backs, I expected the game to have been made a back one, but, with one or two exceptions, it developed into a forward struggle, and the result — Wellington 19 points, Athletics 9 — shows that the former have altered their tactics since I last wrote. A feature of the game was tie amount of hard kicking indulged in by the forwards, which is only justifiable on a very heavy ground.

Pilchard's speed stood him in good stead, as he completely smothered his opponents by fast following up. He was within an ace of scoring on more than one occasion. Hales, at full, was as safe as a church. His kicking and collaring were of a high order ; so much so, that it became a by-word among the opposing backs, "Don't kick the ball as far as Hales." "Eb" is not fast by any means, but he nearly surprised himself into scoring a try. OBrien ("a rose by any other name Mould smell as sweet") was as tricky as ever, and, given more opportunities, would have proved a thorn in the sides of his opponents. Gerrard had not many chances of distinguishing himself, but he fully sustained his Auckland reputation. Kellys try was the result of a good bit of play on Peter's part, and he had hard luck in not crossing the line on more than ono occasion. By the way, Gerrard is being transferred to Auckland at the end of the month. Midlano surprised his greatest admirers by his excellent exhibition as wing three-quarter. He scored his try by a smart bit of play, and his punting was of the right sort — into touch every time Kolly put m an immense amount of work, but he was too well looked after to become very aggressive He missed two or three good chances by always trying the "silly side." With a good three-quarter line, you cannot make the game too open, and Kelly should also remember that his backs could do with a bit more work, and take less upon himself as a consequence. Rash was not altogether a success as half At times he had good opportunities of going on his own when Kelly was besieged, but he neglected to take advantage of them. With a little more experience, no doubt, he will remedy this. Brady and Wills were too many for their opponents in the front rank. They were always in the thick of the fight, and toiled manfully to redeem their fallen fortunes. Pollard and Coady are also hard grafters, and diet their little bit both in the pack and open. McTigue gave a good display on the wing, following up in good style. Gallagher was a tour of strength to tho fellows both in the line-out and pack. Beime" was always where the ball was, and his efforts were ably supported by Walsh, Wilson, and McLachlan. Meredith was as brilliant as tho comet, and put in a tremendous amount of work. His try was well earned. Once or twice he should have been penalised for lifting out of tho scrum, but he managed to escape the eye of the referee. Wood at times was not quite at home, but he improved as the game progressed. His passing was more accurate than on previous occasions, and, with a little more attention to collaring his opponent low, his exhibition would have been nearer his correct form. Row was decidedly off-colour. His defence was weak, and his kicking was not up to his usual standard. He was unlucky enough to get a shake-up in the course of the game, and is quite convinced now as to whether the ground or his headpiece is the harder. Bird missed several good chances of scoring through mulling passes. Charlie had hard luck in falling when he had got past all the opposition, thereby losing a certain score. Johnson did his work in a businesslike manner. He is a trifle slow in getting under way, but liis collaring was very deadly. Kember could put moie dash into his play on the wing, but Manson was very clever. The Wellington skipper should put Kember in the pack, and fetch McLachlan on to the wing. There are two reasons for this — the first is, McLachlan would be of more service on the wing, and Kember would, to a similar degree, be more useful in the scrum. My selecting of the Wellington team last week proved correct, and these suggestions would improve the team still further. A marked feature of tho game was the amount of "cackling" indulged in. At times it appeared as if each member of one team was the captain in turn, and the real player in that position had little opportunity of exercising his authority. On the other side, a fair, curly-headed forward, though playing a good game, seemed to seize the least opportunity of getting nd of his spaie breath — the touch-line judge coming in lor the most of his attention Senior players should not lo&c their heads so easily. Anothpr point, and, after stating it, lam done. The half-backs nowadays seem to have come to the conclusion that they must pass tho ball to their hve-eighths, no matter even if he has not the remotest chance of getting away with it. A long pass occasionally to tho centre three-quarter would be of

immense service, and, for variety's sake, a little gallop on their own would be appreciated. He who runs may read. The meeting; between the two youngest clubs at Petone resulted in a very fast and open game of the kind spectators most appreciate. MoTavish played splendidly for Old Boys, being especially prominent on the line, where lie proved a regular pompom. E. Wylie was conspicuous among the Oriental forwards, narrowly missing a try on one occasion after a fine run. Gilmer, though new to the position, showed to advantage at half, putting in some clever work. There weie several absentees fiom both teams on Saturday, the Old Boys being without the services of Johnston, Dodd, and Rushbrook, while Bums, Young, and Adams were missing from the Oriental ranks.

Messrs. Mitchell, Fache, and Campbell had charge of the whistles in the senior matches, with varying satisfaction to the players they controlled. The probable itinerary of the New South Wales tour is — Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, Canteibury, Otago, and Southland, with a New Zealand match sandwiched in. The Wellington Rugby Union annual -ife now published, and will lepay perusal. A notable omission occurs m the list of active referees — Mr. Alex. Campbells name having been missed. Mr. Joe Warbnck, the mention of whose name brings vividly to one's mind many a good old encounter on the Rugby field, was an interested spectator at the Athletic Park on Saturday. Mr. Campbell was made to give a funny decision in the repoit of the Ori-ental-Old Boys match. Page kicked a goal from a kick that had been disallowed for handling the ball. The report was correct as far as it went, but it did not go far enough — Mr. Campbell, of course, ordered a scram where tho player handled the ball. If you want to know who is going to win the Senior Championship, have a chat with Charlie Reese If he does not convince you that the yellow and blacks are coming out on top, well, arguments are of no avail. By tho way, the Wellington team arc training systematically. An old fnend, in the person oi Doirv Leslie, conducts the rubbing-dow n process The Wellington Union ,ue being asked by the Management Committee ol the New Zealand Union what action they have taken, or if they intend to take any, in regard to the PorteousMcGuirk incident, an outcome of the Otago-Welhnejton match I have had my say on this before, but on tlus occasion I believe the ic<juest means nothing, and so is not woith commenting on.

Gleeson, who, on Saturday played forward, shone in the loose making several fine dribbles up the line. L. McKenzie, for Old Boys, was much m evidence, and gave a good aJI-round display. F. Roberts, who was making his first appearance as a senior, played really ax ell, doing a lot of useful work for the black and whites. The Old Boys' forwards played with plenty of dash, and are a solid lot. Ostler, the Oriental winger, is improving every game, and was very prominent throughout, following up in gieat style. Marsh and E. Page put in a lot of sound defensive work for their respective teams, and Taylor showed improved form at w ing three-quarter. The game, though very willing, was quite devoid of any roughness, and was fought out by both teams in the best possible spirit.

Great interest is being taken by players m the meetings of the Referees' Association. This is as it should be. Saturday's crowd at the Athletic Park was a record one for Cup matches in Wellington, the takings at the gate amounting to £41. Treasurer Pagni smiled w hen he told me, and he is still smiling Mr. R. M. Falconer, who was one of the founders of the Otago Referees' Association, and was a prominent referee in the Scotch city, was elected a member of the Referees' Association on Monday mght.